Apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument on a user in which the apparatus comprises a harness that attaches to a single anchor point on the instrument and further cradles the body of the instrument along a length of the harness. The harness includes a tab for engaging the anchor point on the instrument and an adjustable strap forming a single closed loop that further engages the front, back and side surfaces of the instrument during use.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting astringed musical instrument, and specifically to a harness for holdingand positioning a guitar about the body of a person to play theinstrument while in a standing position. The apparatus is a simpledevice that cradles the lower portions of the instrument's body whileresting on the shoulder of the person.

[0002] When performing, many guitarists prefer to stand and hold theirmusical instruments, a procedure that appears to be preferable amongrock, country and folk musicians. Since it is difficult to both hold aguitar and simultaneously play the instrument, many musicians use astrap or harness to support the instrument in a comfortable playingposition in order to free their hands to play the instrument.

[0003] Most conventional straps for guitars attach to the musicalinstrument at two anchor points on the body. These anchor points arecharacterized by a pin or stud that has been inserted into the body ofthe guitar or adhered to the outer surface of its body. One anchor pointis typically located on a side of the instrument adjacent to the neck,while the other is on an opposite side of the instrument's body oppositethe neck. When attached to the anchor points, such a strap can be placedaround the person's neck and supported on their shoulder to hold theguitar in a convenient manner for playing the instrument.

[0004] Stringed instruments, in general, and some guitars, inparticular, are equipped with at least two anchor points to which thestrap can be attached. However, many classical and vintage guitars haveonly one or no anchor points on the instrument's body. Typically, thesingle anchor point is positioned opposite the neck to which the strapcan be attached. In order to use such conventional guitar straps withtwo point attachments, the additional anchor points must be added to theinstrument. Adding anchor points can damage the body of the guitaradversely affecting the sound of the instrument and reducing its value.

[0005] Other similar guitar straps or harnesses are available that clampdirectly to the body of the guitar or have a plurality of straps thatencircle the guitar. While these may not damage the body of the guitar,due to their cumbersome design they can be time consuming to install onan instrument and expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, clampsattaching to the sound board of the instrument can affect the soundquality of the instrument.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a simple, inexpensive andeffective apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument thatcan readily engage and support the instrument on a person in a standingor upright position. The need also exists for an instrument supportingapparatus that requires only one anchor point for support, therebyeliminating the need for additional anchor points whose installationwould damage the instrument and reduce its value.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention is directed to an apparatus for supportinga stringed musical instrument on a person. The apparatus comprises aharness which includes a fastening portion that is adapted to engage asingle anchor point on the musical instrument. The harness also includesa strap that forms a closed loop attached to the fastening portion. Theclosed loop includes means for engaging a user and means for cradlingthe musical-instrument. The means for cradling the musical instrumentwraps around the back, front and side surfaces of the instrument todistribute the weight of the instrument along a length of the loop,while securely holding the instrument on the harness.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatusthat securely supports a stringed musical instrument on a user, with theinstrument having only a single anchor point on the instrument.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide aharness for a stringed musical instrument having an anchor point locatedon a side of the instrument opposite the neck, wherein the harnessattaches to the anchor point and further engages the instrument's bodyalong a line extending generally from the anchor point to the neck ofthe instrument.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide aninstrument harness comprising a strap that distributes the weight of theinstrument along a length of the strap.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide aharness for a guitar that supports the body of the instrument adjacentto the instrument's neck.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide aharness for supporting a guitar that does not require an anchor point onthe instrument body adjacent to the instrument's neck.

[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide aguitar strap that cradles the lower side surface of the guitar's body inorder to support the guitar.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide aguitar strap that cradles the lower side surface at the narrowed portionof the guitar's body in order to support the guitar.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide aharness for a guitar that can be adjusted for different sizes ofinstruments and for different sizes of musicians using the harness.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide aharness for a stringed instrument that can be readily installed on theinstrument.

[0017] The apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument of thepresent invention is simple and can be readily installed for use. Sincethe strap only crosses one corner of the sounding board when installedon an instrument, minimal contact between the strap and the soundingboard of the instrument occurs. This minimal contact decreases theprobability of distorting the sound of the instrument.

[0018] The harness of the apparatus is fastened onto the instrument at asingle anchor point on the instrument, while the strap wends around theinstrument body to secure the instrument to the apparatus and ultimatelyto the musician.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which are shownillustrative embodiments of the invention and from which novel featuresand advantages will be apparent.

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument of the presentinvention shown supporting a guitar on a user.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus for supporting astringed musical instrument of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 2supporting a guitar.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a planar bottom view of the guitar and apparatus of FIG.3.

[0024]FIG. 5 is a planar back view of the guitar and apparatus shown byFIG. 3.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of a guitar with the apparatusof FIG. 2 in an alternate supporting arrangement from that shown inFIGS. 3-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] A stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar (100) as shown byexample herein in FIG. 1, is typically characterized by an elongatedbody (101) and a neck (102) attached to one end of the body (101). Theelongated body (101) is formed by a front surface (103) comprising asounding board, a back surface (104) and a contoured side surface (105).Both the front (103) and back (104) surfaces have a respective perimeter(107), wherein the perimeter (107) of the front surface (103) isadjoined to the perimeter (107) of the back surface (104) by thecontoured side surface (105). The elongated body (101) includes anarrowed portion (108) near the mid-section of the body (101). Thenarrowed portion (108) is characterized by a smaller span across thefront (103) and back (104) surfaces of the guitar (100). The neck (102)has two ends, one of which is a heel (109) attached to the elongatedbody (101). The other end is disposed opposite the heel (109) andincludes a tuning pad (111). An anchor point (106), as given in thisexample, is a pin or stud (110) with an enlarged head. The anchor point(106) is generally located on the contoured side surface (105) of theelongated body (101) at a location positioned opposite the attachmentlocation of the neck (102).

[0027] Referring now in detail to the referenced characters of thedrawings of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 to be an apparatus (1) for supporting a stringed musicalinstrument (100). The apparatus (1), generally supported on the shoulderof a person during use, comprises a harness (10) and strap pad (11)which is disposed on the harness (10).

[0028] The harness (10) includes planar fastening portion (12), a strap(13) and means for adjusting the strap (13). The planar fasteningportion (12) is a rectangularly-shaped tab having means for attachingthe harness (10) to an instrument (100). The anchor point (106) on amusical instrument (100) generally comprises a pin or stud (110) with anenlarged head and the means for attaching the harness (10) to theinstrument (100) is shown in a preferred embodiment to be a securingelement such as a slot (14). The slot (14) is slipped around the pin orstud (110) to attach the harness (10) to the instrument (100). It shouldbe noted that in the preferred embodiment this attachment only partiallysecures the harness (10) to the instrument (100) for use.

[0029] The strap (13) of the harness (10) is made up of a firstelongated portion (15) and a second elongated portion (16). The firstportion (15) includes a length and first (17) and second (18) ends.Similarly, the second portion (16) of the strap (13) has a length andthird (19) and fourth (20) ends. Attached to the fastening portion (12)are the first (17) end of the strap's first portion (15) and the thirdend (19) of the strap's second portion (16).

[0030] Furthermore, the means for adjusting the strap (13) is disposedon the first (15) and second (16) portions of the strap (13). Itcomprises an adjustable connector (21) that releasably adjoins the first(15) and second (16) portions to form the strap (13) into a single,adjustable closed loop (22).

[0031] In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the adjustableconnector (21) comprises first (23) and second (24) cooperating parts.The first cooperation part (23) is a buckle (23) being positioned on thesecond end (18) of the strap's first portion (15), while the secondcooperating part (24) is a plurality of apertures on the fourth end (20)of the second portion (16). When the adjustable connector (21) isengaged, the buckle (23) engages at least one of the apertures (24) andthe first (15) and second (16) portions of the strap (13) form theclosed loop (22). The first portion (15) of the strap (13) within theclosed loop (22) comprises means for engaging a user and the secondportion (16) comprises means for cradling a stringed musical instrument(100) along a portion of its length.

[0032] For comfort and ease of use, the apparatus (1) can be adjusted tofit differently sized musical instruments and/or differently sizedpeople. When the adjustable connector (21) is released, the effectivelength of the strap (13) can be varied to change the size of the closedloop (22). The buckle (23) can be engaged with any one of the pluralityof apertures on the strap (13) in order to vary the strap's effectivelength and the resultant size of the closed loop (22).

[0033] The strap pad (11) is an elongated member having a width that isgreater than a width of the strap (13). The elongated member includes anupper surface (25), an opposing lower surface (26) and means forsecuring the strap pad (11) to the harness (10). The opposing lowersurface (26) has a cushion (27) disposed thereon. The cushion (27) isadapted to lie adjacent to a person using the apparatus (1) in order toenhance comfort. The means for securing the strap pad (11) to theharness (10) comprises a series of openings (28) positioned along alength of the strap pad (11). The strap (13) is threaded through theopenings (28) thereby securing the strap pad (11) to the harness (10).Preferably, the strap pad (11) is positioned on the strap (13) adjacentto the adjustable connector (21) in order to provide a cushioned bufferbetween the user and the first (23) and second (24) cooperating partsthat might otherwise lie adjacent to and irritate the user. It should beappreciated that while the means for securing the strap pad (11) to theharness (10) comprises openings (28), other suitable means includingloops cooperating snaps or rivets could be used instead to secure thestrap pad (11) to the harness (10). Alternately, the strap pad (11)could be fixed to the strap (13) by adhesives or stitching. However, itis preferred that the strap pad (11) be movably mounted on the harness(10).

[0034] The harness (10) is preferably made from leather that is pliableenough to conform somewhat to the shape of the instrument (100) and theuser's body. The first (15) and second (16) portions of the strap (13)are integrally formed with the planar tab of the fastening portion (12)and extend outwardly from a side of the rectangularly-shaped pad (11).Alternately, the harness (10) can be made of materials other thanleather that exhibit suitable characteristics, including durability andflexibility, such as characterized by woven and spun natural fibers,nylon and plastics.

[0035] As shown in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3-5, theapparatus (1) is installed for use on the musical instrument (100) byattaching the fastening portion (12) to the pin (110) on the guitar(100). The means for engaging a user is positioned around the person andthe means for cradling a stringed musical instrument (100) is positionedaround the body (101) of the instrument (100).

[0036] Specifically, the slot (14) on the fastening portion (12) isattached to the pin or stud (110) of the anchor point (106), such thatthe fastening portion (12) extends from the anchor point (106) acrossthe side surface (105) and toward the perimeter (107) of the backsurface (104). Crossing the perimeter (107), the strap (13) of theclosed loop (22) extends across the back surface (104) of the instrument(100) in a direction generally toward the narrowed portion (108) of thebody (101). At the narrowed portion (108), the strap (13) extends acrossthe perimeter (107) of the back surface (104) toward the front surface(103) and onto the contoured side surface (105). The strap (13) crossesthe contoured side surface (105) and extends over the perimeter (107) ofthe front surface (103). From the front surface's perimeter (107)proximate the narrowed portion (108), the strap (13) extends across thefront surface (103) of the instrument (100) towards the neck (102). Thestrap (13) then crosses the perimeter (107) of the front surface (103)and extends around behind the neck (102) of the guitar. The strap (13)then extends upwardly around the user and downwardly across the backsurface (104) of the instrument's body (101) where it adjoins with thefastening portion (12) of the harness (10).

[0037] In another preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the fasteningportion (12) extends downwardly from the stud or pin (110) along thecontoured side surface (105) of the elongated body (101). From thefastening portion (12) either the first (15) or second (16) portion ofthe strap (13) extends along the contoured side surface (105) to thenarrowed portion (108) on the lower side of the instrument (100). At thenarrowed portion (108), the strap (13) extends toward the perimeter(107) of the front surface (103) and crosses over it onto the frontsurface (103) of the elongated body (101). The strap (13) extends acrossthe front surface (103) to the neck (102) at which area, it extendsaround the back of the instrument's neck (102) and upwards to engage aperson using the apparatus. The strap (13) encircles the body of theuser and extends downwardly across the back surface (104) of the guitar(100) where the strap (13) adjoins with the fastening portion (12).

[0038] The simplicity of the apparatus of the present invention allowsready installment on a musical instrument and also allows for quickremoval therefrom. Since the present invention effectively supports theinstrument by a one point attachment on the fastening portion combinedwith the strap cradling the instrument's body, a person can use theapparatus on most classical and vintage guitars without having to addanother anchor point and risk damaging the instrument or compromisingthe sound quality. Furthermore, with contact between the apparatus andthe front surface and sounding board being limited to a small area inthe lower quadrant of the instrument's body, the sound quality of theinstrument is not unduly affected when using the apparatus of thepresent invention.

[0039] Furthermore, the apparatus (1) is reversible and can be adaptedto either left-handed users or right-handed users. By reversing thefront to back positions of the first (15) and second (16) portions ofthe strap (13), the apparatus (1) can be alternated for use betweenleft-handed and right-handed players.

[0040] It should be appreciated that while a guitar has been given as anexample for a stringed musical instrument, the apparatus can be usedwith other stringed musical instruments having a similar body shape, asdo some mandolins and dulcimers.

[0041] Although the present invention has been described in considerabledetail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, otherversions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims should not be limited to the description of the preferredversions contained herein.

1. An apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument, saidapparatus comprising: a fastening portion comprises means for attachingto the instrument, and a strap; said strap comprises a single closedloop which includes means for engaging a user and means for cradling theinstrument, wherein said single closed loop is attached to saidfastening portion.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means forengaging a user comprises a first portion of the strap and said meansfor cradling the instrument comprises a second portion of the strap,said first portion having first and second ends with said first endattached to said fastening portion, and said second portion having thirdand fourth ends with said third end attached to said fastening portion;and an adjustable connector for adjustably adjoining the second andfourth ends together, wherein said single closed loop is selectivelyvariable in size.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said adjustableconnector comprises first and second cooperating parts, wherein saidfirst cooperating part is on the second end of said first portion, saidsecond cooperating part is on the fourth end of said second section, andsaid first and second cooperating parts are releasably engaged.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein said first cooperating part comprises abuckle and said second cooperating part comprises a plurality ofapertures.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the-stringed musicalinstrument comprises a body having front, back and side surfaces, a neckattached to the body and an anchor point attached to the side surfaceopposite the neck, said body further having a mid-section with anarrowed portion, wherein the fastening portion engages the anchor pointand said means for cradling the musical instrument is positionedadjacent to the back, side and front surfaces and neck of the instrumentduring use.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means for attachingto the instrument is a slot disposed in the fastening portion whichengages the anchor point on the instrument.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein said means for cradling the instrument extends from saidfastening portion across the back surface of the instrument to saidnarrowed portion, across said side surface at said narrowed portion tosaid front surface, across said front surface to said neck and around atleast a portion of said neck.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, furthercomprising means for adjusting the strap, wherein a diameter of thesingle closed loop can be selectively varied.
 9. The apparatus of claim4, further comprising a strap pad disposed on the strap.
 10. Anapparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument comprising aneck, a body and an anchor point, said body having front, back and sidesurfaces, and said neck and anchor point attached at generally oppositeends of the body, the body further comprises a mid-section with anarrowed portion, said apparatus comprises: a strap; and a fasteningportion; said fastening portion is a planar tab having a one-pointattachment for engaging the instrument, said one-point attachmentattaches to the anchor point on the instrument; wherein said strap isattached to the planar tab and is adapted to engage the instrument andthe user.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said strap comprisesfirst and second elongated portions; said first portion having first andsecond ends, wherein said first end is attached to said fasteningportion and said first portion is adapted to engage a user; said secondportion having third and fourth ends, wherein said third end is attachedto the fastening portion and said second portion is adapted to receivethe front, back and side surfaces and neck of the instrument.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, further comprises an adjustable connector,wherein said adjustable connector releasably adjoins the second andfourth ends of the first and second portions respectively, therebyforming the strap into a single closed loop; wherein the adjustableconnector is selectively adjustable to thereby vary effective lengths ofthe first and second portions and vary the size of the single closedloop.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said one-point attachmentcomprises a slot.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said fasteningportion attaches to the anchor point on the instrument, said secondportion extends from said fastening portion across the back surface tosaid narrowed portion, across said side surface at said narrowed portionto said front surface, across said front surface to said neck, andaround at least a portion of said neck to adjoin said first portion;said first portion extends from said second portion around a user, andattaches to the fastening portion.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12,further comprising a strap pad disposed on said strap.
 16. The apparatusof claim 10, wherein said fastening portion is attached to the anchorpoint on the instrument, said second portion extends from the fasteningportion along the side surface of the instrument to the narrowedportion, where said second portion extends from the side surface, acrossthe front surface to the neck, and around at least a portion of theneck, and adjoins the first portion, said first portion extends around auser and adjoins the fastening portion adjacent the anchor point.
 17. Anapparatus for supporting a guitar, wherein the guitar has an elongatedbody and a neck extending outwardly from the body, the body havingfront, back and side surfaces and an anchor point, the body furthercomprises a mid-section with a narrowed portion, the front and backsurfaces each having a respective perimeter which are adjoined to theside surface, and the anchor point is disposed on the side surface ofthe elongated body opposite the neck, said apparatus comprises: aharness; and a strap pad; said harness comprises a fastening portion, astrap, and means for adjusting the strap; said fastening portion is agenerally planar tab having a one-point attachment for attaching theharness to an instrument, said one-point attachment comprises a slotwhich engages the anchor point on the instrument; said strap comprises awidth and first and second elongated portions; said first portion havingfirst and second ends, wherein said first end is integrally attached tothe fastening portion; said second portion having third and fourth ends,wherein said third end is integrally attached to the fastening portion;said means for adjusting the strap is an adjustable connector, whereineffective lengths of the first and second portions are varied as thestrap is adjusted; said adjustable connector comprises first and secondcooperating parts, wherein said first cooperating part is disposed onsaid second end of the first portion and said second cooperating part isdisposed on said forth end of the second portion; wherein the first andsecond portions of said strap form a single, closed loop with saidadjustable connector adjoining the second and fourth ends of said firstand second portions, respectively; said first portion includes means forengaging a user and said second portion includes means for cradling theinstrument; said strap pad comprises an elongated member having a widthand an upper surface and a lower opposing surface, the width of thestrap pad is greater than the width of the strap, said lower opposingsurface having a cushion thereon, said strap pad further comprises aplurality of openings in the elongated member, wherein said harness isthreaded through said openings; and wherein to support the stringedmusical instrument, said slot is attached to the anchor point on theinstrument, the means for engaging a person extends around the personand said means for cradling the musical instrument extends around theinstrument, such that said fastening portion extends from the anchorpoint and across--the side surface to the perimeter of the back surface,the first portion of the strap extends from said fastening portionacross the back surface of the instrument and to the user, the secondportion extends from the fastening portion at an acute angle to thefirst portion, across the perimeter and back surface of the body towardsthe narrowed portion of the body, across the perimeter of the backsurface to the side surface at the narrowed portion, across the sidesurface at the narrowed portion to the perimeter of the front surface,across the perimeter of the front surface, across the front surfacebetween the narrowed portion and the neck, across the perimeter of thefront surface and around the neck, upwardly from the neck to the firstportion, wherein said fourth end of the second portion is adjoined tothe second end of the first portion by the adjustable connector.